Harpoon Rich & Dan's Rye IPA - Harpoon Brewery

ToasterChef

Maine

4.43/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer has a very clear consistency. It is the color of clean, shiny copper kettle. There is a lot of carboantion clinging to the sides of my glass. A very large head of off-white bubbles fills the top third of my glass—there is so much that I can't pour all 12 ounces into this pint glass. Very good lacing is left behind.

The beer has a very nice aroma. I could smell big hops aromas as soon as I began pouring. On closer inspection, there is also a healthy dose of rye in the nose. The hops are both earthy, like a pile of crisp leaves, and citrus-like, recalling orange zest.

The beer's flavor comes across as very balanaced, even though it is a hop forward beverage. The rye spices are tasted immediately. Soon, more traditional hop bitterness comes forward. The bitterness stays through the finish, although here it is more oily than it was earlier. The malt sweetness is also tasted here, but it isn't too sweet. It's like a watery malt syrup (without that viscous feeling).

This beer is slightly thicker than average for the style, but the carbonation, while a little intense, seems to be par for the course. My lips are left a little sticky. The mouthcoat is noticeable, but not too sticky.

This is a very good Rye IPA. I'm glad that Harpoon has decided to release it in 12 oz bottles. I imagine that it will find it's way into my fridge somewhat regularly.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 00:18:25 | More by ToasterChef

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy pale orange-ish color, with an off white head. In the aroma, citrus hops with some pine like hops. In the taste, pine hops with a nice rye and apple dryness. A small bite, but mainly smooth, with a medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry green apple sweet and pine like hops in the aftertaste. Nice hops and a nice rye presence, very nice!

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 20:30:53 | More by OWSLEY069

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appears a slightly hazed copper in the body with a billowing off white cream head rising above the edges of my Gulden Draak chalice. Chunky sporadic bands of lacing are left behind with each sip. This is a nice beer, full on citrus and spicy rye interplay going on in the nose. Enough base malt provides some bread/crackers balance to it, but big alpha hop brings the grapefruit pungency. Flavor wise it's banging with citrus hops and a bit of earthiness, which is blended nicely with a bready/spicy rye notes bringing out an herbal/grain note to it. Bitterness lingers in a good way on the palate, with nice slick hop oils flowing along, ample carbonation carries the body just fine. Overall between a nice brisk bitter IPA and interesting rye spiciness, this was one of my favorites I've had from the 100 barrel series in some time, pretty rock solid offering so solid that the founders of Harpoon threw their names on it.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2011 02:14:03 | More by WVbeergeek

BigPlay1824

New York

4.4/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed in a pint glass

A: pours a deep golden color with a slight pinkish almost purple tinge, has a ton of carbonation bubbles working their way up through the brew, pours very clear, pours with ample fluffy pure white head that is light and airy with tiny bubbles, head lingers for an incredibly long time before dissipating and leaving a ton of lacing ringed around the glass
S: really great rye notes with a solid sweetness and a really solid citrusy hop aroma that is real fresh, well balanced between the rye and hops
T: really a phenomenal taste, ive loved it since the first time i tried it from the hundred barrel series and im elated to see them put it in a six pack, really wonderfully balanced between the bitterness of the hops and the deep malty sweetness of the rye, great hop notes, very earthy almost woody
M: medium carbonation tingle, smooth throughout the middle and finishes with a great bittering dryness which lingers on the palate for a long time afterwards
O: Now that its in six packs this is likely to become my go to IPA, its a toss up between this and flower power, great job by harpoon on this one

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 00:03:49 | More by BigPlay1824

kbuzz

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Love these limited "100 Barrel Series" beers. Picked up #37 and was really excited considering that Rye IPAs were my not-so-secret obsession this summer. High hopes...can the beer come through?

A: The bomber pours a light copper color with a nice fluffy eggshell colored two-fingered head. The beer releases massive carb bubbles, bigger than any carb bubbles I've ever seen. This beer is almost hyperactive. Results in inconsistent patchy foam, which happens to be a big turn-on for me...indicates a very active, unique and lively beer. Insane lacing everywhere...all over the glass.

S: Hoppy - grapefruit, soapy, lemon/citrus...sweet pine, grassy and floral...hints of the rye pop up from time to time, ducking and dodging behind the dominant hop aroma...very crisp, very clean, very fresh aroma.

T: Hop and rye tastes dominate - piney grapefruit/simcoe notes for sure. The "rye" tag does not dissapoint - spicey flaked rye is stamped all over this brew...very prominent bite that punctuates the inviting primary citrus hop notes.

M: Medium-thin to medium bodied beer with solid carbonation. Not too dry, not overly heavy. Easy drinking, very smooth body.

O: Overall, this beer delivers what I expect in a Rye IPA - freshness! Every ingredient that came through tasted fresh and crisp. That rye bite really kicks the taste buds from beginning to end and provides a solid malt backdrop to the citrusy and floral hop dominance. Harpoon delivers a very solid effort on this limited brew. If you dig rye bite and hoppy freshness, this beer is for you!

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2011 02:54:07 | More by kbuzz

mlazzaro

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle
Clear as can be - light apricot color. Frothy off white head with excellent retention. Head lacing the glass with every sip. One of the best looking beers I have seen in a while. Suiting carbonation as well. Smells of pine and citrusy hops. It does smell really good, but it isn't as pungent as I have come to expect with the American IPAs. The hops do smell very fresh though.

citrusy hops -> pleasant bitterness -> sweet malted rye flavors

Good rolling bitterness that doesn't scorch the palate or linger too long. Rye maltiness is noticeable but fits right into the flavor profile. Somewhat dense body for an IPA, rye tend to be viscous and I assume that's why. Really easy drinking for a close to 7% ABV. I truly impressed by this beer. I think I can easily say its the best beer I have had from Harpoon. Just my opinion. This beer is right up my alley, I love rye beer and I love good flavorful American IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 14:32:29 | More by mlazzaro

Brad007

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a light amber/golden color with a one-finger head into my glass. Looks about right.

Tangy, grassy and citrusy hop essence greets the nose. Very fresh with just a bit of bread.

Rich, grassy and citrusy hops greet the tongue. Very strong on the bitterness combined with the spiciness of the rye.

You know a beer is well hopped when it lingers at the back in a definite manner.

I like this IPA. It has a lot of potential.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 03:05:34 | More by Brad007

maximum12

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to ferillo for a couple bottles of this amidst a stampede of rye. Coupled with my local rye buys, I should be set. For a week or two. 12 oz. bottle. Best by date of 8/15/12, whatever that means.

Pour is very IPA, light orange, clear but not see-through. Nose is mostly pale malts; little going on here.

Rich & Dan's Rye IPA brings ginormous doses of everything; wow factor in effect. Great dollops of earthy rye sit on the tongue, with a peppery kick not far behind. Piney zestiness in the middle, along with bread crumbs, before a sizzling bitterness scalds the palate on the downslope. Tongue-numbing. Another sip begins the happy process all over again. Lovely beer that could be sipped all night, into the mornig, then poured over one's Grape Nuts. Well, if Grape Nuts weren't nasty, of course.

Lovely. This is an excellent beer that melds two of my favorite style in a complex yet drinkable beer. Great rye presence, vicious hop bite, great flavor. Big winner. Love it.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 03:24:53 | More by maximum12

hackmann

Michigan

4.19/5  rDev +10%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: misty amber body with a big two finger off white head that leaves tons of lacing on the glass.

Aroma: nice rye spiciness, touch of citrus/floral hops, light fruit

Flavors: whole grain cracker, rye spiciness, slight bitterness, earthy grains, touch of pine on the back, hint of fruit

Mouthfeel: light fizzy carbonation, sweet caramel on the delivery, spicy feel right behind hitting the mid and finish, bitterness on the back with that nice touch of pine, slightly oily, lingering twang on the palate, slightly dry feel, good balancing act for being on the bitter side of town

Overall: a nice rye IPA

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 23:35:12 | More by hackmann

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.16/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-Pours a cloudy orange jam color. Consistent head leaves even more consistent lacing. Head is soupy and frothed.

S-Citrus and pine hops. Light floral notes too. Rye isn't too intense which I am happy about. Decently balanced. Smooth, well-rounded nose.

T-Pleasant hoppiness. Citrus, pine and flowers. Rye bread. Balanced and crisp. The beer's flavor becomes more enjoyable after every sip.

M-Medium bodied. Surprised by the alcohol content. Booze is masked very well. A bit slick on the tongue.

O/D-A nice brew. Kudos to Harpoon for throwing this into a six-pack.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 01:52:28 | More by VelvetExtract

vtblackdog

Vermont

4.15/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz into a pint glass.

A - a light amber almost golden. A medium head forms and hangs around a while.

S - I get a sweet banana upfront and a sweet pineapple backing it up. Awesome!

T - A bit more hoppy bitterness than expected given the nose. Still a good taste.

M - A bit thin in the mouth, carbonation was average.

O - The nose is awesome and the drink is above average.


O -

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2011 23:19:36 | More by vtblackdog

scottbrew4u

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Pours an orange to copper color, clear with a one finger, light tan head. Good lacing on the glass as it goes down.

S: Red grapefruit, passion fruit, pine and white pepper notes with the hops up front. Bready and sharp rye notes are mixing well with the hoppy bouquet.

T: Hop forward with pine resin, sour red grapefruit, tropical fruit and peppery spice. Rye kicks the spice up more and with a bisquity undertone you complete the balance for this IPA.

M: Medium body with prickly carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

O: Crisp and refreshing beer here from Harpoon! More of a west coast approach compared to some of their other beers. This demands attention and can be a great beer to introduce someone to rye in beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 22:30:22 | More by scottbrew4u

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 6/7/2011 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep gold color with a short dense white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains fruity citrus, caramelized rye malts and grassy hops.

T: The taste starts out with sweet flavors of citrus followed by a strong but not over-powering hops bitterness. The rye malt character is hearty and there’s some spice faintly in the background creating a pretty good balance. The after-taste is slightly bitter.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Very tasty, goes down quite easily, not too filling, decent kick, very good representation of style, this is a very nice beer worth drinking for a while.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 16:08:34 | More by TheManiacalOne

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle purchased as a single at Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/2" off-white head over the slightly cloudy amber brew. Head falls steadily, popping bubbles one by one, with nicely lasting sticky lace. Aroma is spices and crisp fresh piney hops.

Taste starts sweet, lemon and spice in the middle, and pine hops comes on for the close. Mouthfeel is smooth, and drinkability is good as well. Rye adds a nice twist to the IPA style.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 21:56:51 | More by ppoitras

jjayjaye

New York

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Moxie's. Poured a slightly hazy copper stained amber. Visibly effervescent with a deep frothy collar with decent hang time and impressive Belgian lacing. The smell is aggressive and complex; fruity citrus and grassy hop blend. Really added a lot to my overall impression. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, has a hoppy tang and is nicely carbonated. There is an enjoyable resin aftertaste that lingers appropriately. The flavor mirrored the nose and had the grainy rye character that i've come to expect from rye beers. Overall a very fine drinker. I'd recommended it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2011 17:40:11 | More by jjayjaye

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

We pour a rich tawny brew with hues of deep rust when held to light. It holds a one and a half finger off-white head comprised of huge bubbles. This shows nice retention, leaving sticky, spotty lacing all over the glass. Carbonation appears robust, and a thick haze is produced from the last half of the bottle, without sediment. The nose is bright with tart citric hops mixing with dry herbal hops. The latter are syrupy and heavy with sweet fruit. The rye bite is the primary component of the malt bill, with faint caramel sweetness. With warmth come faint banana esters, booze, and a creaminess. Our first impression is that this is a very tasty beer with a hearty bittering finish. As we sip, syrupy sugars and strawberry sweetness mix with a biting rye and drying barley. The middle shows more simple grain to the peak, with a quick flash of those bright citric hops from the nose. More sweetness comes to balance, with passion fruit and lemon flesh mixing with dry, flowery hops to the finish. Mineral wateriness comes to wash the sweetness, allowing for the rye to peak one more time. The aftertaste breathes of rye, faint tinny metals, light booze, and crisp herbal hops. The body is medium and the carbonation is medium. There is creamy slurp yet a soft crisp smack to each sip. There is a light coating, with a fine bubbly prick to the tongue. The abv is appropriate, and the beer drinks great.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the amazingly balanced nose. It smells just as you would expect for a “Rye IPA”. The flavor is not quite as robust as you would expect, but this guy still hits the style on the head in every department, making for a nice prototype for this emerging style.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 23:42:58 | More by TheBrewo

fx20736

New York

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, served at fridge temp.
a natural white cap of foam. A magnificient shawl of lacing is left.

Aroma of grapefruit rind.

mouthfeel is soft.

Thick bed of malt with faint spiciness and a kiss of grapefruit hoppiness.

notes; drinkable, refreshing. A nice change of pace beer.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

08-19-2012 04:04:45 | More by fx20736

kennylopez

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle that was shared by good friend into a tasting snifter.

Appearance: light golden color and clear yellow hue. nice head considering the glass.

Smell: floral and light rye note. I sort of got a lemon zest hint in there too.

Tastes: a smooth well balanced IPA. light rye taste like the not suggests, but flavorful and better when it warms in the mouth.

Mouthfeel: crispy and sort of dry with a pleasant stick of rye on the roof of the mouth.

Overall: a great beer. I bought quite a few bottles of this because I had it on tap and wish I would have bought more when they where around. I shared a bottle with my old man who isn't into rye beers or I.P.A.'s and enjoyed it to the point where he was pouring another glass for himself. A great brew that created great memories.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 04:21:54 | More by kennylopez

SawDog505

New Hampshire

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass, best by 8/15/12. Pours a slightly hazy dark orange, with a one inch sticky white head that leaves a nice collar of lace on the glass. Smell is tangerine, pineapple, and grass. Taste is similar, some carmel and Rye in the finish. Body is medium, plenty of carbonation, a touch dry, and easy drinking. I first had this last year at Harpoon's 25 fest. This is very nice and will be in my fridge often now.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 21:17:03 | More by SawDog505

BennyL1

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle Poured into an Allagash chalice. Drink by 8/15/12.

This Rye IPA pours a nice copper color with a thick frothy white head that sticks around for a while. Really nice thick rings of lace is left along the glass. Fine looking brew right here.

Aromas of rich piney hops with a good rye background. Maybe a bit of caramel in the background.

Lots of good hop flavors up front. Spicy and floral hops with that distinguished rye background. Really enjoying this one. Mouthfeel is nice as well, so easy to put back! Medium in body with good carbonation.

Harpoon got this one right. I'm not a huge fan of rye beers but this one hit the spot. Would recommend to friends.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 01:05:46 | More by BennyL1

MRclean

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Vessel: 12oz. bottle poured into tulip glass

Appearance: Pours a light golden orange with a hint of brown. There is an instant 2.5 fingers of head that begins to fade fairly quickly. The beer has a distinct light haze and nice carbonation.

Smell: There is a clean hoppy aroma with distinct malty sweetness.

Taste: Hoppy and crisp with pine notes. The malty sweetness is notable but as much as you would think after smelling it. This beer has a medium/light body and ends dry with a nice hoppy bitterness left over

Mouthfeel: Light and enjoyable with a hint of smoothness and a crisp finish.

Overall: This is a really nice rye IPA that I recommend you give a shot. I will certainly be picking it up again.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 23:38:32 | More by MRclean

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Rustico in Alexandria. Served in a tulip.

Pours a moderate golden color that is mostly clear. Good white head and a nice bit of lacing on the way down. The nose carries a good portion of rye along with some floral and spicy hops. The flavor carries the same with the rye really taking a step forward and bringing a bit of spice. Mostly floral hops with a bit of an earthy feel as well. All is very well integrated into a medium-bodied brew with a nicely-bitter finish. Some alcohol detected afterward. This was a thoroughly enjoyable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2011 00:06:18 | More by Thorpe429

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Looks nice, clear gold with a fluffy, off-white cap. Lots of clumpy lacing, decent head retention. I got a whiff of grapefruit and grassy hops during the pour and wasn't disappointed once I had more time to contemplate the beer in the glass. There was a slight pine resin edge to the hops as well, plus mild nutty and bready malts. Solid bitterness, citrus pith and grassy hops in the flavour, some spicy hops in the finish, with mild malt bready/rye presence, minerals, and slight alcohol. Good texture, medium light in body with moderate carbonation, but it felt light and creamy. Overall, I enjoyed this one. The rye didn't add a lot, but I did like the hop character.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 20:59:41 | More by DrJay

tdexterc

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I nabbed a free bomber of this fine elixir from my local harpoon rep. Being in charge of the beer at a little store with a big craft beer selection certainly has its perks!

A- Poured into an over-sized beer mug, this made for a super robust head. I mean, it hasn’t budged in 10 minutes! Great sticky lacing, a steady stream of carbonation, and an amber/orange body sets this beer up as one of the prettiest looking IPA’s I’ve seen in a while.

S- I think the full scent has a bit of a hard time breaking through this super dense head! The smell seems to be slightly subdued, but I’m picking up hearty citrus, sweet honey, and some background piney notes.

T- More of the same here, citric, piney, resiny hops take hold of the reins. I can detect a little bit of the spicy rye characteristics poking through (more-so in the aftertaste), but the hops seem to play a much larger role in this brew.

M- A creamy mouthfeel with an attractive and well-rounded bitterness makes for an easy drinking, IPA.

In conclusion, this beer seems to be yet another great option for IPA lovers, but for people looking for more of a rye profile, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 02:15:26 | More by tdexterc

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Sam Adams Signature Pint.

Appearance: Dark amber color, slightly hazy. White head, dies pretty quickly. Leaves a solid lacing. Good looking beer.

Smell: Not much there. Spicy, can smell the rye a little bit.

Taste: Starts off spicy with a good compliment to the steady carbonation. Slightly citrusy later, builds some sweetness, but ends bitter. Slightly creamy beer. Hops most evident in the finish. Very easy to drink, but maintains an interesting taste throughout the drink.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and carbonated. "Fun" to drink.

Overall: Big fan of this beer, but then I am a sucker for rye. I'd consider buying a case of this, and I'd enjoy drinking it regularly.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 01:36:56 | More by ColdWaffles